Published: Friday, May 16, 1997 at 3:15 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, May 16, 1997 at 12:00 a.m.

Johnson was sure he had finished second in the 400 meter intermediate hurdles and all he could think about was all the hard work he had put in since last summer.

In an instant, Johnson had all those emotions wiped off his face replaced by joy as he learned he had just given Boiling Springs a first-place finish in in his speciality. He had just defeated Tony Washington of Wando High School by 1/10 of a second to take the state title But Johnson still wasn't safisfied. His goal had been a state record and he had fallen short. "There was a great sigh of relief, but disappointment as well," Johnson said of that moment on the track at the Weems-Baskin facility on the campus of the University of South Carolina when he learned he had finished first. "I'm not satisfied,'' he said. "I wanted to break the state record. That was my goal all year." Johnson's unsatisfactory feeling was balanced by the happiness of other area athletes who like his first place finish, and in some instances his medal, but nonetheless were thrilled by their performances. Spartanburg's Sarah Davis finished her high school career with a third in the 800-meter run. "I really wanted the medal more than anything," Davis said. Dorman's April Thomas was third in the 100-meter dash and second in the 200 but wasn't completely disappointed. "I was satisfied in the 200," Thomas said. James Davis earned a pair of medals from the four events he ran. He finished second in the 200 and third in the 100. He was unsatisfied even though Boiling Springs finished third overall. "I think we could have done a lot better than we did," Davis said. Davis might have been unhappy but his coach, Wade Cooper, didn't fully share that feeling. Pride was mixed in with whatever disappointment Cooper was experiencing. "We're real proud of them," Cooper said. "We knew Sumter and Spring Valley (the top two finishers) were real good." Michele Sanders, also of Boiling Springs, was thrilled with her fifth- place finish because she beat her personal record. "I'm very satisfied." Sanders said after jumping 17 feet, 7 1/4 inches in the long jump. That was a personal best by over a foot. "I might have got fifth, but I'm not upset with it.'' While many athletes were not satisfied with not winning, there were a number of area athletes who claimed first place and had plenty of smiles to show for it. Matt Tatham of Riverside won the 1600-meter run and was second in the 3200. "I knew I would be one of the top runners in the events," Tatham said. "I didn't really know what to expect. I have a hard time running in big races. I'm overly satisfied. I could have medaled in just one event." Riverside finished runner-up to Southside in the team standings. Michelle Cooke of Spartanburg was second in the 1600 and Dorman's Meredith Grimsley was third in the 3200. Grimsley, who won the state title last year in the 3200, saw Lindsey Rogers of T.L. Hanna not only take away her title but also beat the state record - the only one to fall on the day. Rogers broke Michelle Crowe's record by three seconds. Crowe, who ran at Irmo, had previously held the record in both the 1600 and 3200, the latter of which had stood since 1984. Riverside's Paul Singleton and Broome's Jason Mosley also joined the winner's circle, winning the 800 and the pole vault, respectively. Disaster struck 400-meter hurdle favorite Jennifer Cassel when she fell over the second hurdle and finished last. That was proceded by Spartanburg's girls 4 x 100 relay team's mishap on a baton exchange. Spartanburg's Lawanda Jackson and Audrey Jackson had problems with their exchange and the baton hit the ground, leaving Spartanburg last in the event. Overall, the Lady Vikings finished sixth in the team standing.

<p> Jarred Johnson stood with emotions criss-crossing his face.</p><p>Anger, disappointment and even a little fear.</p><p>Johnson was sure he had finished second in the 400 meter intermediate hurdles and all he could think about was all the hard work he had put in since last summer.</p><p>In an instant, Johnson had all those emotions wiped off his face replaced by joy as he learned he had just given Boiling Springs a first-place finish in in his speciality. He had just defeated Tony Washington of Wando High School by 1/10 of a second to take the state title But Johnson still wasn't safisfied. His goal had been a state record and he had fallen short. "There was a great sigh of relief, but disappointment as well," Johnson said of that moment on the track at the Weems-Baskin facility on the campus of the University of South Carolina when he learned he had finished first. "I'm not satisfied,'' he said. "I wanted to break the state record. That was my goal all year." Johnson's unsatisfactory feeling was balanced by the happiness of other area athletes who like his first place finish, and in some instances his medal, but nonetheless were thrilled by their performances. Spartanburg's Sarah Davis finished her high school career with a third in the 800-meter run. "I really wanted the medal more than anything," Davis said. Dorman's April Thomas was third in the 100-meter dash and second in the 200 but wasn't completely disappointed. "I was satisfied in the 200," Thomas said. James Davis earned a pair of medals from the four events he ran. He finished second in the 200 and third in the 100. He was unsatisfied even though Boiling Springs finished third overall. "I think we could have done a lot better than we did," Davis said. Davis might have been unhappy but his coach, Wade Cooper, didn't fully share that feeling. Pride was mixed in with whatever disappointment Cooper was experiencing. "We're real proud of them," Cooper said. "We knew Sumter and Spring Valley (the top two finishers) were real good." Michele Sanders, also of Boiling Springs, was thrilled with her fifth- place finish because she beat her personal record. "I'm very satisfied." Sanders said after jumping 17 feet, 7 1/4 inches in the long jump. That was a personal best by over a foot. "I might have got fifth, but I'm not upset with it.'' While many athletes were not satisfied with not winning, there were a number of area athletes who claimed first place and had plenty of smiles to show for it. Matt Tatham of Riverside won the 1600-meter run and was second in the 3200. "I knew I would be one of the top runners in the events," Tatham said. "I didn't really know what to expect. I have a hard time running in big races. I'm overly satisfied. I could have medaled in just one event." Riverside finished runner-up to Southside in the team standings. Michelle Cooke of Spartanburg was second in the 1600 and Dorman's Meredith Grimsley was third in the 3200. Grimsley, who won the state title last year in the 3200, saw Lindsey Rogers of T.L. Hanna not only take away her title but also beat the state record - the only one to fall on the day. Rogers broke Michelle Crowe's record by three seconds. Crowe, who ran at Irmo, had previously held the record in both the 1600 and 3200, the latter of which had stood since 1984. Riverside's Paul Singleton and Broome's Jason Mosley also joined the winner's circle, winning the 800 and the pole vault, respectively. Disaster struck 400-meter hurdle favorite Jennifer Cassel when she fell over the second hurdle and finished last. That was proceded by Spartanburg's girls 4 x 100 relay team's mishap on a baton exchange. Spartanburg's Lawanda Jackson and Audrey Jackson had problems with their exchange and the baton hit the ground, leaving Spartanburg last in the event. Overall, the Lady Vikings finished sixth in the team standing.</p><p>THE CHAMPS Nikki Allen, Lockhart Girls 1,600-meter run, Class 1A Girls 800-meter run, Class 1A</p><p>Emanuelle Johnson, Landrum Boys pole vault, Class 1A</p><p>Marcus Wharton, Chapman Boys discus throw, Class 2A</p><p>Johnny Bomar, Chapman Boys 400 IM hurdles, Class 2A</p><p>Ranji Williams, Riverside Boys discus, Class 3A</p><p>Jason Mosely, Broome Boys pole vault, Class 3A</p><p>Mat Tatham, Riverside Boys 1600-meter run, Class 3A</p><p>Paul Singleton, Riverside Boys 800-meter run, Class 3A</p><p>Jenny Parker, Riverside Girls 400 hurdles, Class 3A</p><p>Jarred Johnson, Boiling Springs Boys 400 hurdles, Class 4A</p>